Glossary · Reading the business
Customer Lists
In short
These are records of a business's current and past customers, often including contact information and purchase history. They are a valuable intangible asset representing future revenue potential.
What it means in a deal
As part of due diligence, you'll want to review the business's customer lists to understand its customer base, concentration risk, and recurring revenue potential. These lists are often considered a general intangible and can serve as collateral for an SBA loan. Ensure you understand how the seller maintains and transfers this asset.
Related terms
Common questions about Customer Lists
- How does the SBA typically value intangible assets like customer lists or software for collateral?
- Can a 7(a) loan finance the purchase of intangible assets like customer lists or trade secrets in a business acquisition?
- How does a lender perfect a lien on intangible assets such as customer lists or proprietary software for a 7(a) loan?
- Is it possible to finance a business with an SBA 7(a) loan where most of its value is intangible assets like customer lists and brand reputation?
- Can a high customer concentration (e.g., one customer is 50% of revenue) jeopardize my SBA 7(a) loan approval?
- Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the intangible assets of a service business, such as client lists or recurring contracts?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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